Premier Chang Chun-hsiung (
Accompanied by a Cabinet delegation, the 12-day tour will take in four of Taiwan's diplomatic allies -- St Vincent, St Christopher, Dominica and Grenada.
Speaking at Chiang Kai-shek International Airport before his departure, Chang said that the purpose of his trip was to attend celebrations commemorating the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Taiwan and St Vincent, and to strengthen ties with the other Caribbean allies.
He said the delegation would make stopovers in the US -- New York City on the way to the Caribbean, and Miami, Los Angeles and Honolulu on the return leg.
"I've particularly asked related agencies to arrange meetings with overseas Taiwanese and American think tanks, industrialists and high-tech professionals to exchange views on domestic issues during my stopovers in the US," Chang said. The premier also thanked the US government for its assistance and said the relationship between the US and Taiwan has been getting closer.
Chang said that, in New York, he would seek US financial experts' opinions on financial reform and attracting foreign investment to Taiwan.
In Los Angeles, he would explore strategies with professionals from the high-tech sector to further develop Taiwan's knowledge-based economy, and also visit the city's disaster-prevention agencies. In Hawaii, he is to study aspects of the state's development of tourism.
Vice Premier Lai In-jaw (賴英照), Cabinet Secretary General Chiou I-jen (邱義仁) and other Cabinet officials were at the airport to see Chang and his delegation off.
Chang and his delegation are expected to return to Taiwan on Sept. 12. The legislative session begins on Sept. 18.
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